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    Home » Dinner

    Taco Sauce

    Published: Jul 17, 2020 · Modified: Nov 11, 2020 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This homemade taco sauce is so delicious and can be made with simple ingredients from your pantry. Forget store bought, this sauce can be made quickly and lasts for several weeks. 

    If you like to make sauce at home be sure to try this copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. 

    Taco sauce in a jar with tacos in back

    Why make it instead of buy it?

    Have you ever looked at the back of some jarred and canned foods to see ingredients you’ve never heard of?

    That’s why I enjoy making things like this taco sauce at home. You control the ingredients going in and can adjust to your family’s taste. 

    It’s also very cost effective. A jar at the store is can be 2-3 dollars and this is less than a dollar to make. This recipe makes enough to use for several meals and is also great to use for meal prep. 

    What is the difference between salsa and taco sauce?

    Taco sauce is typically ingredients like spices and tomato sauce that is cooked to let the flavors come together.

    Salsa usually uses fresh ingredients and is not cooked. 

    Ingredients needed

    Tomato Sauce – Use a 16 oz can of plain tomato sauce.

    Vinegar – This recipe calls for white vinegar but feel free to substitute with apple cider vinegar.

    Spices – Cumin, onion powder, garlic salt, chili powder, paprika, sugar, cayenne. 

    How to make taco sauce

    Scroll to the bottom for full printable recipe, ingredients and video. 

    This sauce is so easy to put together. 

    1. Mix: Pour water, vinegar, tomato sauce and spices in a medium saucepan. Stir together until combined.
    2. Simmer: Cook over low heat for approximately 15 minutes. Make sure to occasionally stir to prevent burning. 
    3. Serve: You can serve warm or let cool and store in jar until ready to use. 

    Pot with water, tomato sauce, vinegar and spices

    How to store

    Store: Once it’s cooked, take it off the heat and let the sauce cool down. I like to store mine in jars. Keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. 

    Freeze: This sauce can also be frozen. Pour in an airtight, freezer safe bag and freeze for 3-4 months. 

    Uses for taco sauce

    There are many wonderful recipes that this sauce compliments. It tastes similar to Ortega and Taco Bell taco sauce so you can use it like you would for those or it’s also a good substitute for salsa.  

    • Use to top these Crockpot tacos.
    • It makes a great addition to air fryer steak fajitas.
    • Add a little spice to these butternut squash and black bean enchiladas.
    • I even love using it with eggs or on a breakfast casserole. 

    Jar of sauce with wooden spoon

    Recipe tips

    • The cayenne pepper does add a little heat to the sauce so if you don’t like spicy, omit the cayenne. If you like it really spicy, add a little more. 
    • Try adding a splash of lime juice for a fresh flavor.
    • Make a double batch so you have some for the week and some in the freezer for later.

    More Mexican inspired recipes

    • Charro beans – Delicious beans cooked with onion and bacon.
    • Crockpot chicken fajitas – This is an easy weeknight slow cooker meal everyone loves. 
    • Pico de Gallo– A tasty condiment that can be used like salsa or for dipping.
    • Chicken empanadas – This is a semi-homemade version of empanadas. 

    *** If you made this recipe, please feel free to comment and leave a star rating below.

    Jar with red sauce.
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    5 from 8 votes

    Taco Sauce

    This homemade taco sauce is way better than store bought and with no weird ingredients.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: taco
    Servings: 1 cups
    Calories: 60kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 1 16 oz tomato sauce
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Instructions

    • Pour water, tomato sauce, vinegar and spices into a medium saucepan. Heat over low heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Let cook and serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1221mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1370IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Epifania J. Garces

      January 25, 2023 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      It’s a nice instant sauce recipe & thanks!

      Reply
    2. Maryse Charbonneau

      December 26, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      exactly what I was searching for

      Reply
    3. Erin

      July 17, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      5 stars
      This is great! Loved the flavor and loved the fact it doesn’t have any yucky preservatives! Freezing some for later.

      Reply
    4. Suzy

      July 17, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      Love how easy this is to put together! It’s so good and tasty!

      Reply
    5. Jen

      July 17, 2020 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the tip about freezing this! Such a great idea to always have this on hand for Taco Tuesday all year long.

      Reply

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